To Jan, John, Steve, and Pete.
Jenny and I are honoured to be part of this family and friends’ event today.
Only recently, Clive and I were observing that we were remnants of a disappearing generation ― those who obtained knowledge and facts from real people. Whereas today it is more common for people to seek knowledge from the internet and social media.
Clive and I often sought and received wisdom from the same people. People with broad knowledge, like Arvi Parbo and Geoffrey Blainey.
People whose input we valued because they had earned our respect.
We wondered whether future generations would come to respect the internet and social media to that same degree.
We may never know!
As long as I remember Clive, and this goes back to school days in Kalgoorlie, Clive was always a leader.
The captain of our hockey team.
The captain of our rifle team.
All the high school students voted for him to be Head Boy.
Imagine our amazement when someone else was announced as Head Boy.
The teachers also voted, as well as the students, and we suspected that the teachers had given themselves ten votes to each of our student votes.
No, Clive was no teacher’s pet.
He exuded self-esteem and confidence, rather than the servility which is often preferred by some teaching staff.
I sensed this and saw Clive as a good role model.
Then I watched Clive take charge of instructing his great family, and mine too, down at Esperance on the Great Lake Windabout Water Skiing adventure.
We then spent the rest of our lives crisscrossing our paths in various mining roles and, more recently, the Mining Hall of Fame.
And for the past 25 years, as neighbours – just around the corner – Clive and Jan’s place has been our favorite detour during many of our daily walks.
Then, when we heard the sad news of Clive’s passing, our immediate thoughts went out to Jan ― what a girl!
I was attempting to put a few thoughts together on Clive’s life, when that great W.A. School of Mines Student Association tribute arrived on my screen. I immediately put that up on my website and have since been receiving a constant flow of comments from so many of Clive’s friends.
Here are just eight excerpts. A sentence or two from eight people. They all show how Clive was deeply connected with a diverse range of interesting people: –
Dr. Ross Fardon said, “Clive; what a great guy. He emanated commitment and integrity and goodwill and quiet wisdom. One of those, who the instant you knew him, what you see is what you got, and more.”
Peter Iancov said, “Sorry to hear of Clive’s passing. Every warrior who has the courage to make us all better – matters and remains in our memories. I hope his memory will allow a young person to pick up the flag and push forward.”
Liz Blaxell said, “I was so sorry to hear of Clive’s passing. I really appreciated you putting me back in touch with Clive, I spoke with him earlier in the year during one of his hospital visits. His strength always came through in his voice. There are so many wonderful people associated with the W.A. School of Mines Association.”
Tom Atkinson said, “I remember Clive well from Anaconda days etc. and Jan on the Parkerville Children’s Home Board with me. He had a good innings and was a good person to deal with.”
Geoff Baker said, “Uncle Clive was a wonderful man. He was wonderful to us in his extended family, and to the community around him. I am going to miss him.”
Geoffrey Blainey said, “I was sorry to hear of the death of our good friend Clive Annear.”
Kerry Stevenson (Excellence in Mining Conference) said, “What an illustrious career Clive had. I had the pleasure of meeting him and he was a true gentleman. What a lovely tribute.”
And finally, Jim Kyle said, “Clive was the first person I met upon arriving in Kalgoorlie in 1985. He was next door in our temporary accommodation and was very helpful in assisting us on that day.”
What a welcome to Kalgoorlie!
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And now, we will all miss Clive, who has been a mentor to so many – a kind of ‘super mentor.’
But, just think of him, still urging from the sidelines, telling us to ‘get on with it.’
During my last and very recent discussion with Clive, I noticed that his thoughts were straying to ‘a conclusion’ and I wished that I might have realized the urgency.
Only now I imagine my question to him should have been to ask him, “What kind of life have you lived?” I am sure he would have replied, “I lived the life I intended.”
To which I would have replied, and; he would have agreed that “there is no higher achievement than that.”
He would right now be encouraging us to spend these precious moments with each other; to remember the good times and to share these thoughts and companionship with Jan, John, Steve, Pete, and their families. Friends; so, let us do that.
Ron Manners AO
July 2024